Pacifier securement device

ABSTRACT

A pacifier securement device comprising a series of links retaining a pacifier at one end and a clip at another end which can secure the device to a baby&#39;s clothes. The series of links is comprised of links of which can be a multitude of colors, textures, and shapes; can be integral with each other, or removably attachable; and can detachably retain toys, or can have toys integral with the links. The pacifier securement device provides an option to lengthen, shorten, rearrange, remove, and exchange the links and/or the toys via a simple and efficient configuration so that either the baby and adult user or only the adult user may remove a link when desired. The toys associated with the links in the series may provide for numerous combinations of sensory entertainment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of pacifier securement devices, and more specifically to those which may be removably attached to an article of infant's clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, in the marketplace, there are available a wide variety of pacifiers, some of which have clips for attaching to a baby's clothing. None of these pacifiers includes a series of decorative links that at one end has a pacifier and at the other end attaches to a baby's clothing, and further includes an option for removing, exchanging, rearranging, lengthening, and shortening the series of links such that numerous configurations of sensory entertainment are provided within one pacifier securement device.

In reviewing the prior art, there are a number of pacifiers that contain a rattle type sensory stimulating attachment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,699,785, issued to Allen discloses a device that has a nipple anchored to a rattle with a guard, or disc, in between. The rattle contains a shiftable weight such that the anchored end of the nipple is heavier than the suckled end of the nipple. The device also contemplates a single ring securely attached to the rattle opposite the end the nipple is anchored to. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,335, issued to Natonek discloses a nipple connected to a stopper and then a teething member. Either or both the stopper and teething member can be hollow with the option to add pellets for auditory stimulation and made from a transparent material for visual stimulation.

Another pacifier device, U.S. Pat. No. 2,743,727, issued to Griesinger has an elongated handle with an integral ball at one end, and an integral plug a the other end. The plug receives a large cap and nipple and the ball can be made as a rattle containing sounding beads. Like the Allen and Natonek devices, the only toy that the Greisinger device contemplates is a rattle.

There are patents that reveal pacifier nipples used in conjunction with sensory stimulating attachments other than rattles. For example, the Swartz device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,902, is directed to an illuminating pacifier which has a light emitting diode so that the device glows in the dark, and integral light bulb activated by squeezing the handle. Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,215, issued to Girou, reveals that two sensory devices may be used with a pacifier nipple that may be filled with liquids and is directed towards relieving teething pain. The sensory devices, a rattle and whistle are interchangeable and may not be used at the same time in conjunction with the pacifier. U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,742 B1, issued to Moriary, discloses a teething pacifier which, when activated, a connected body portion generates a vibration that posses through the nipple and soothes the gums of the infant. A sound generator can also be added for auditory stimulation. Only an two sensory attachments are considered and the vibrating aspect may only be felt through the nipple portion of the device.

Although the Smith patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,075, discloses a sinusoidal cord with a pacifier at one end and a clip at the other to attach to a baby's clothes, it does not provide for any sensory toys to be used in conjunction therewith. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 295,558, issued to Jefferson, is an ornamental design for a clip for a baby's pacifier. The design discloses a hinged securement means with two straight inflexible parts. The first part has a clip at one end and is hingedly attached to the second part at a first end. The second end of the second part terminates in a single ring. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,217, issued to Mitchell, is also an ornamental design for a pacifier holder including a combined spring and clip.

Thus, nowhere in the prior art is seen a pacifier securement device, which comprises a series of decorative links that at one end retains a nipple, and the other end, a clip which attaches to a baby's clothes, wherein the pacifier securement device has the option of providing the series of links with either detachable toys or a toy per link; which may be removed, exchanged, rearranged, lengthened, and shortened easily and securely by either the baby and the adult user, or just the adult user; and contains a multitude of sensory stimulating toys which, when manipulated by either the baby or the adult user, produces sensory entertainment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a of a pacifier securement device that has a series of links with one end of the series attached to a pacifier and the other end of the series attached to a clip used to ultimately removably secure the pacifier to the infant. In the first preferred embodiment, the series of links is composed of individual links with toys integral to each link. Each of the individual links can detachably receive other links to lengthen or shorten the series as desired, and to change the order of the toys as desired. In the second embodiment, the series of links is composed of individual links that can detachably receive toys. Just as in the first preferred embodiment, in the second preferred embodiment, the series of links can be shortened or lengthened as desired. Further, the toys can be removed and added as desired to each of the links so that the pattern on the series can be changed, or the links used without any toys as desired. In yet a third embodiment, the links are not removably detachable, nor are the toys, which form an integral part of each link. The third embodiment contains a stagnant series of links and toys, and in an additional fourth embodiment, the links are not removably detachable, so that only the toys may be exchanged on each of the links but the length of the series of links may not be altered.

The toys contemplated can have sound and/or visual stimulation in them which is activated by touch or motion of the link including, but not limited to, a spinning ball, a doll, a noise maker, flashing lights, a mirror, a frame that retains a desired picture, alphabet and number blocks, a liquid filled teething pouch, and a vibrating teething toy. Of course, the toys that are removably detachable to the present invention should be configured to a sufficient size that they cannot be inserted into a choke tube. This is a concept that is widely known in the relevant art. In other words, the toys are too big to fit into a cylinder 2¾″ in length and 1½″ in diameter. Further, the links can be created from multicolored, durable, non-toxic plastic, wood, or metal; and each link may be a shape including, but not limited to, a substantially triangular, square, rectangular, heart, diamond, circular, and/or oval configuration.

The foregoing disclosure taken together with other features and advantages of the present invention can be readily derived from the following detailed description of the drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings present herein, and should be considered as within the overall scope of the invention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is one primary object of the present invention to provide a pacifier securement device having decorative links which the baby con ploy with that can be removably secured to a baby's clothes to prevent loss of the pacifier.

It is yet an additional primary object of the present invention to provide a pacifier securement device that can be removably secured to a baby's clothes to prevent the pacifier from straying too far from the baby and coming into contact with unhygienic surfaces.

It is still a further primary object of the present invention to provide a removable pacifier securement device that is flexible.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a removable pacifier securement device that can be elongated and shortened as desired.

Yet a further primary object of the present invention to provide a removable pacifier securement device that is safely made from a series of links to prevent choking if accidently wrapped around the baby's neck.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device which can be manipulated either by a baby and adult user, or only by the adult user.

Additionally it is primary object of the present invention to provide a pacifier securement device which provides auditory, visual, and touch sensory stimulation.

Still another primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device with removably detachable toys or with toys integral with the links in the series of links so that the toys and/or links may be removed, exchanged, and rearranged to provide numerous combinations of sensory entertainment platforms.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device with a series of links that are either removably detachable or are securely fastened to each other.

Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device with a series of links and toys that are non-toxic.

It is yet an additional primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device which is light, easily manipulated, and inexpensive.

A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device which has either links in the series or toys that are soothing for teething purposes.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier securement device which has toys which are big enough not to choke a baby if they become detached.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention can be readily derived from the following detailed description of the drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings present herein and should be considered as within the overall scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a series of links retaining a pacifier at one end, a clip at the other, and associated with removably attached toys.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with substantially triangular links with removably attached toys.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a link of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a broken away side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the series of links of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Shown now in FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the pacifier securement device 10, which has a series of links 12 retaining a pacifier 14 at one end, and a spring biased clip 16 at the other end for the purpose of removably securing the present invention to an article of infant's clothing In this particular embodiment, there is a toy 18 integral with each link 13. The links 13 are shown with a first 22 and second end 24 which provides an opportunity to quickly and easily remove, alternate, exchange, or add each link 13, thus breaking the series of links 12. A toy 18 integral to each link 13 may be provided with sound, touch, and/or visual stimulation, is activated by touch, and can include, but is not limited to, a combination of the following; a spinning ball, a doll, a noise maker, flashing lights, a mirror, a frame that retains a desired picture, alphabet and number blocks, a liquid filled teething pouch, a rattle, and a glow in the dark and/or a vibrating teething toy. Further, a toy 18, link 13, and/or the series of links 12 may be multicolored and textured as desired, providing numerous combinations of sensory entertainment.

FIG. 2 shows another front perspective view of the series of links 102 of the pacifier securement device 100. In this embodiment the links 103 are triangular in shape. It is contemplated that the links 103 may be substantially round, triangular, square, rectangular, diamond and/or any other shape desired. The links 103 may be one shape along the series 102 or may be a combination of different shapes. Further, this embodiment shows a clown doll toy 106 and a frame or mirror toy 108 which is removably attachable to each link 103. By providing removably attachable toys, 106 and 108, the user may provide each link 103 with one or more toys per link 103. Moreover, each link 103 is further provided with a spring biased cap 110 which can be easily manipulated by an adult to remove a toy such as toy 106, while at the some time, such manipulation would be practically impossible for an infant to achieve.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of a link 200 with a cap 202 having interior threads at the first end 204 opposing the second end 206 having exterior threads 208 which can receive the cap 202. In this embodiment the link 200 is substantially rectangular.

FIG. 4 is yet another preferred embodiment. FIG. 4 is a broken away side elevational view of the series of links of the pacifier securement device 300 wherein both the toys 304 and each link 306 is integral with each other. The link 306 is contained in a housing 308. This preferred embodiment provides only one arrangement of toys and links for the pacifier securement device 300.

Further, it is believed that an appropriate dimensions for the links 13 and the toys 18 of FIG. 1, be bigger than 2¾″ in length and 1½″ in diameter, the size of a choke tube, to prevent choking hazards should the links or toys become dislodged. Additionally, the links 13 can be created from multicolored, durable, non-toxic plastic, wood, or metal; and each link may be a shape including, but not limited to, a substantially triangular, square, rectangular, heart, diamond, circular, and/or oval configuration. Moreover, the configuration of the link 200 in FIG. 3 provides a complex configuration that can be more readily utilized by an adult user as compared to the link 13 of FIG. 1, wherein a baby may be able to remove each link 13 in the series 12. The pacifier securement device 10, therefore, provides for different levels of difficulty for the removably attached links and toys. The pacifier securement device 10 ultimately provides for numerous possible arrangements and variations for sensory entertainment.

Although in the foregoing detailed description the present invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and alterations in the structure and arrangement of those embodiments other than those specifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in the art and that such modifications and alterations are to be considered as within the overall scope of this invention.

PARTS LIST

FIG. 1

-   10—pacifier securement device -   12—series of links -   13—link -   14—pacifier -   16—clip -   18—toy -   22—first end -   24—second end

FIG. 2

-   100—pacifier securement device -   102—series of links -   103—links -   106—clown doll toy -   108—frame or mirror toy -   110—cap

FIG. 3

-   200—link -   202—cap -   204—first end -   206—second end -   208—exterior threads

FIG. 4

-   300—pacifier securement device -   304—toys -   306—link -   308—housing 

1. A pacifier securement device comprising; a clothing attachment means and a pacifier; a flexible series of three or more adjacent links with a first and a second end wherein the first end of the series retains the pacifier while the second end retains the clothing attachment means; and, an infant amusement device for at least one of the links.
 2. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the series of links is composed of a material selected from one or more groups of the following non-toxic and rigid material; paper, plastic, wood, and metal.
 3. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein shape of each of the links in the series of links may be selected from one or more groups of the following shapes; substantially oval, substantially square, substantially circular, substantially rectangular, and substantially diamond.
 4. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clothing attachment means comprises a clip.
 5. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toys are integral with the links.
 6. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toys are removably attachable to the links.
 7. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein all separable portions of each of the toys and links are substantially greater in dimension than 2¾″ in length and 1½″ in diameter so that each separable portion will not fit into a choke tube.
 8. A pacifier securement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toys and links are a plurality of textures and colors. 